Libby Birch’s journey to AFLW success

Like many girls, Libby Birch abandoned footy as a teenager, but she made her return to become not only an AFLW star but a trailblazer for young women in sport.

Libby Birch has fast become a trailblazer for women in sport. Picture: Alex Coppel

When Libby Birch was a teenager she abandoned her dream of playing footy. It wasn’t for lack of interest or talent, it was because she was being a realist and simply couldn’t see a pathway to reach a top echelon.

“It probably never even entered your mind that you could play footy and make a career out of it,’’ Birch, 27, recalls.

“I was told at 13 or 14, that I had to stop. I was so passionate about footy when I was growing up, and I just wanted to play at the highest level. And I can remember my mum and dad saying: ‘Look, you can’t play footy. Because you’re never going to be anything like that.’

“That was the reality of it. You never can be an elite athlete because there’s no pathways. Like, ‘Libby you’re watching Lenny Hayes play out there. You’re never going to be that, because there’s nothing. There’s nothing like that in our world at the moment.’

“And so I didn’t have a choice.”

Birch had originally abandoned her dream of playing football as a teenager but returned and is kicking goals. Picture: Alex Coppel

Birch was an accomplished netballer at state and national level, and pursued that sport because she could see netballers on television and could aspire to join the Australian Diamonds. It wasn’t until 2016, at age 18, that Birch made the switch to AFL when now Hall of Famer Daisy Pearce handed her a pair of boots and she trialled at Darebin Falcons.

Soon she was scouted and made a rookie at the Western Bulldogs, with the promising defender earning $4000.

“And then if you think about it, health cover took two grand of it so it was just two grand yeah,’’ Birch says. “I was doing uni, so it was lucky. I was living at home, I was finishing my physio degree at the time. If I wasn’t living at home, I’d be in real trouble.

“A lot of the girls faced those challenges in the early years and it was at that time everyone was working full-time. Some were at uni, some were working as police women, nurses, and then coming to training after hours, so it was just crazy. Like, we were full-time working from six to four or five, and then we go straight to training. We wouldn’t finish til 10. And it was just wild the work we were doing to make this game possible.”

Bella Eddey, Amy Smith and Libby Birch of the Kangaroos celebrate with the premiership cup after the 2024 AFLW Grand Final match. Picture: Dylan Burns

Now 10 seasons into AFLW the players are able to focus on what they love and be players full-time. “It’s a wage you can live off the year,’’ Birch says.

“I reckon it’s about 75 to 80 per cent full-time now. So it’s nearly there. We’re doing three full days pre-season, but it would be four, nearly five days during the season.”

Birch’s growth mirrors that of the competition – and she’s extra proud given she is the great-granddaughter of World War II sergeant James Donald Kennedy who had a stint at St Kilda.

The two-time All-Australian played her first three seasons with the Western Bulldogs, before moving to the Melbourne Demons in 2020 and then North Melbourne in 2024.

She jokes that she is the ultimate trivia question now having incredibly won a premiership at all three clubs.

Birch jokes that she is the ultimate trivia question now having won a premiership at all three clubs. Picture: Alex Coppel

A qualified physiotherapist she continues to blaze a trail, working in media on radio and television, and also becoming an author in children’s literature.

Her debut picture book called Libby’s Footy Adventures is released this week to introduce young readers to the excitement of footy through the eyes of a young girl chasing her sporting dreams.

It sounds familiar for Birch, and she’s determined to give girls a visual role model.

“It was about two years ago now there was a close friend of mine, she was looking for a kids’ book for a family friend, a young girl,’’ Birch says.

“She just reached out to me and said, ‘Libby can you believe this? There is no kids’ book that represents young girls playing footy.’ That’s outrageous, we’re 10 seasons in and how do we not have that? There’s Alex Rance, Marcus Bontempelli, but there was absolutely nothing in that age for girls.

Birth has a full plate working in media, playing AFLW and recently publishing a children’s literature book. Picture: Alex Coppel

“So I went about writing a story about what footy has given to me, and what the feeling of footy is – the sense of belonging and that.

“And then I pitched it to Hardie Grant and they loved it, and it’s been two years in the making.

“Sport plays such a huge role in so many kids’ lives, but it’s still under-represented in children’s books, especially when it comes to strong female leads.

“That gap really mattered to me. Girls deserve to see themselves in stories where they’re not just participating, but leading, thriving, and being celebrated. I hope this book is the first of many to help change that.”

Birch is a female kicking goals and while the competition has hit the headlines recently, largely surrounding finances, she is adamant it is strong and has become a beacon of hope.

“I’ve experienced three of the first clubs to really invest in women’s footy, particularly the Bulldogs fighting for women’s footy since 2010,’’ Birch says.

“And then obviously the Kangaroos, who have just had the most incredible leaders at their club with Sonja Hood and Jen Watt.

Birch with teammates Georgia Stubbs, Claire Mahony, Ella Slocombe, Taylah Gatt and Tess Craven. Picture: Alex Coppel

“And I just think when I came to North Melbourne it was just the most amazing club in terms of how they’ve been able to create a culture that is so seamlessly intertwined with the men’s and the women’s and the staff.

“I think what I’ve had at each club has really been so special in a way that I’ve been able to have so many long lasting friendships and experiences.

“By extension of that, the competition’s money and relevancy has been at the forefront of discussion over the past couple of weeks.

“But I think, yes it’s a business and money’s important, but I think you’ve got to look at the impact that W has, and you’ve got to give that value more than making money. There’s more value to this sport than what money brings, and the money will come.

“I believe the impact that we’ve had on the community and the culture, but also the fact that we have now developed a full pathway over 10 seasons for young girls to see elite athletes playing on the bigger stage, it’s just been absolutely incredible.”